rfmcdonald | [LINK] "A political manifesto for more civilized times" (Reply)

I was concerned about the vitriol I was seeing last night as I watched the election. I present to you a counterpoint.

- I will not assume that just because someone believes differently than me, that they are an idiot, a moron, or evil.

- I will not assume I have the full story, especially when it comes to the beliefs of someone who disagrees with me.

- I will assume that someone who supports a different party or takes a different stance on an issue from me has come to that decision through a reasoning process at least as involved as my own.

- I will listen -- really listen -- when someone disagrees with me, and try to see their side of the issue, even if I still disagree with it.

- I will not try to force someone to change their mind without listening to their position first.

- I will assume that for every lie I can trot out about the party I dislike, a person who believes differently from me can trot out a lie about the party I support. All politicians skew the truth; the party I like does not necessarily hold the moral high ground.

- I will assume that no matter how much I dislike a party, they have probably done at least a few things right during their time in power.

- I will assume that no matter how much I like a party, they have probably done at least a few things catastrophically wrong during their time in power.

- I will remember that stories and feelings often trump reason. I will remember that this is as true for me as for the person I disagree with.

- I will frame differences of belief in terms of positives, not negatives. Belief differences often stem from a choice between two positive, potentially conflicting values, such as liberty vs. security, or individual choice vs. public welfare. Both sides of the issue have benefits.

- I will remember that no matter what my priorities are, they are not universal.

- I will appreciate the fact that I live in a democracy where I can vote without duress, and where others can do the same.

- I will appreciate that if I do not like the party who has power in my country, the law states that in four years I will have a chance to try to elect the party I like. I will appreciate that Canada has no lifelong dictators.

- I will assume that in an era of personalized news feeds and social media, most people receive one-sided news that supports their own beliefs and ignores the opposing beliefs. I will assume this applies to myself as well, and I will actively seek out views I disagree with to challenge my own beliefs.

- I will remember to be respectful, attentive, and civil, even if I disagree with someone. Especially if I disagree with someone.

- I will remember that in a democracy, if I really care about an issue, there are many ways to become involved in the political process. If I care deeply about an issue, I will try to do something about it before the next election cycle.